Zoe loves books, writes horror, erotica and erotic romance, and can be found as close to the stage as possible at small clubs across the Southeastern U.S., rocking the fuck out to her favorite bands.

Under the name Holden Wells, she has published several short stories in gay erotica anthologies. One of these—Roughing It—has been revised and expanded into a novella and is now available in print and ebook format. The sequel to Roughing It will be coming out in 2014. A number of short stories featuring the same characters are also in the works, the first of which, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," was released in ebook format in October 2013.

Zoe has also written a novel and a long story (both erotic romance) as Zoe X. Rider, both of which are currently seeking publication. In the meantime, she is working on a couple horror novels and a sequel to the erotic romance novel.

I read all the A Song of Ice and Fire books last year in a 45-day period, but this is the one that really fired me up. I pumped my fist in the air and shouted "Fuck yeah!" in Astapor, completely missed the signs on the way to (and at!) the wedding at The Twins and so was taken completely by surprise, devastated only because I'd been excited about the plans the King of the North had been about to put into action, and then I danced in my seat as The Queen of Thorns adjusted Sansa's hairnet. Plus--plus!!! Sandor traveling with Arya.

Before the A Song of Ice and Fire books, I was Not A Fantasy Person, but G.R.R.M. changed that. I've gone on to read and love other authors in the genre—and like many other people, I am tormented by the wait for the next book in the ASoIaF series.

Honorable Mention

My favorite book that I read last year that was released last year was Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. It's not without flaws, but it was wonderfully twisted and great fun to read: Alfred Hitchcock meets Jim Thompson. I devoured it. Gillian is one of my favorite authors.